Setup
Getting started with Ryubing
A first-run walkthrough from download to your first booted game.
Read guide →
Ryubing Emulator Download
Ryubing Emulator Download for Windows, Linux & macOS
Ryubing is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator fork based on the Ryujinx codebase. Download the provided ZIP, review the setup process, compare supported desktop platforms and fix common launch or performance problems.
Vulkan / OpenGLGraphics backends
Stable & CanaryRelease channels
What is Ryubing
Ryubing Emulator built from the Ryujinx codebase
Ryubing continues development from the open-source Ryujinx codebase after the original project ended in October 2024. It is a separate fork focused on desktop emulation, maintenance, compatibility work and practical quality-of-life improvements under the MIT licence.
2024
Fork started
MIT
Open licence
3
Desktop platforms
C#
Written in
Feature panel
What the emulator brings to the table
Ryubing emulator features depend on the selected build, operating system, graphics driver and individual game. Review release notes before changing a working setup.
01
Vulkan & OpenGL
Multiple graphics backends let you pick the renderer that runs best on your GPU and drivers, with a Metal path on Apple hardware.
02
Resolution scaling
Render supported titles above native resolution for a sharper picture, alongside anti-aliasing and scaling filters like FSR.
03
Broad controller support
Keyboard, mouse, touch and nearly all controllers work, with native motion controls in most cases.
04
Shader caching
Disk shader caching helps reduce stutter over time as compiled shaders are stored and reused between sessions.
05
LDN multiplayer
Local wireless-style play is supported through the project’s LDN network for compatible titles.
06
Ongoing development
New builds can include crash fixes, renderer changes and compatibility updates, while experimental releases may also introduce regressions.
Process
From download to your first game
Emulation reproduces the Switch’s CPU and GPU in software. Here is the high-level path most people follow.
Get the build
Download the official release archive for your operating system and CPU architecture.
Add keys & firmware
Provide prod.keys and firmware dumped from a Switch you own — these are never bundled.
Pick a backend
Choose Vulkan, OpenGL or Metal and tune settings to match your hardware.
Load your dumps
Point the emulator at your own legally dumped games and launch.
Compatibility
Where Ryubing runs
Ryubing primarily targets Windows, Linux and macOS. Exact architectures, prerequisites and release assets can change, so check the current project documentation for your system.
| Platform | Architecture | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 / 11 | x64, ARM64 | Supported | Requires the matching .NET Desktop Runtime |
| Linux | x64, ARM64 | Supported | Vulkan drivers recommended |
| macOS | Apple Silicon / supported Intel builds | Supported | Check the current macOS release requirements |
| Steam Deck | x64 | Linux-based | Uses a compatible Linux build and may need extra setup |
Installation
Setting it up, step by step
A typical Ryubing emulator setup includes the application files, current graphics drivers, legally obtained keys and firmware, a controller profile and a folder containing your own game dumps.
Download the archive
Grab the release that matches your OS and CPU from the official source in the download section below.
Extract it
Unzip the archive to a folder you can write to, then run the Ryubing executable.
Install prerequisites
On Windows, install the .NET Desktop Runtime version shown if prompted, then relaunch.
Add keys, firmware & games
Point the emulator at your own dumped keys, firmware and game files, then start playing.
# 1. Extract the downloaded archive
unzip ryubing-*.zip -d ryubing/
# 2. Launch (Linux example)
cd ryubing/ && ./Ryujinx
# 3. In the app: add keys + firmware
Tools → Install Firmware
Options → Settings → add game folder
Bring your own dumps
Keys, firmware and games are not included and must be legally dumped from hardware you own.
Download
Download Ryubing Emulator ZIP
Use the main button to download the Ryubing ZIP archive selected for this website. After downloading, extract the archive, review the included files and follow the setup instructions for your platform.
The download is a GitHub branch archive. Scan the ZIP, review the repository and keep backups of existing Ryubing data before replacing files.
A note on safety and legality
Treat every emulator download like any other executable or source archive: verify the URL, inspect the repository, scan the files and avoid unknown mirrors. Back up saves and configuration before installing or replacing a Ryubing build.
Ryubing emulator software does not include Nintendo Switch games, encryption keys or firmware. Use only files dumped from hardware and titles you legally own, and follow the laws that apply in your location.
Use cases
Who uses a Switch emulator, and why
Play on PC
Run games you own on a desktop or laptop with higher resolutions and controller flexibility.
Preservation & testing
Developers and hobbyists study game behaviour and preserve titles they legally own.
Accessibility tweaks
Custom input mapping and display options help some players tailor a more comfortable setup.
Performance tuning
Enthusiasts experiment with backends, scaling and filters to get the smoothest result on their hardware.
Local multiplayer
Groups use LDN to play supported titles together on the same network.
Learning emulation
An open codebase is a practical way to learn how console emulation actually works.
Balanced view
Pros and cons at a glance
An honest summary to help you decide whether the fork fits your needs.
Pros
- Free and open-source under the MIT licence
- Cross-platform across Windows, Linux and macOS
- Ongoing development with fixes and compatibility work
- Transparent, inspectable codebase
- Graphics enhancements like scaling and FSR
Cons
- You must supply your own keys, firmware and games
- Performance depends heavily on your hardware
- Not every title runs perfectly; some have issues
- Experimental builds can introduce regressions
- Initial setup can be fiddly for newcomers
Releases
Release channels & updates
Ryubing builds may be published through stable and experimental channels. Use release notes and recent issue reports to decide whether an update is suitable for your system.
Channels Live
Stable
Calmer, fewer breaking changes
RecommendedCalmer, fewer breaking changes
Canary
Latest fixes land here first
Bleeding edgeLatest fixes land here first
Cadence
Varies
Stable timing is not fixed. Canary builds can follow upstream changes more frequently and may be less predictable.
Where it lives
Project hosting
Project code, releases, documentation and issue tracking can be distributed across the Ryubing Forgejo and GitHub organisation.
Troubleshooting
Common issues & quick fixes
Missing .NET runtime
On Windows, install the exact .NET Desktop Runtime version shown in the error from Microsoft, then relaunch.
Game won’t boot
Confirm your keys and firmware are installed and up to date, and that the title is actually supported.
Poor performance
Try switching between OpenGL and Vulkan, lower resolution scaling, or roll back to an earlier build.
Long hang on large games
Big titles can take time building romfs on first launch. Give it a moment, and update to the latest release for fixes.
Guides
View all guides
Latest from the guide library
Ryubing emulator articles covering installation, safety, performance, compatibility and common errors.
Safety
Is Ryubing safe to use?
What “safe” really depends on, and how to avoid tampered downloads.
Read guide →
Performance
Performance settings guide
Backends, scaling and filters explained so you can tune with confidence.
Read guide →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Twenty common questions, split into two categories. Tap a question to expand it.
Ryubing is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator fork based on the discontinued Ryujinx codebase. It continues with maintenance, compatibility work and quality-of-life changes under the MIT licence.
It is a separate fork built from the Ryujinx codebase, not the original Ryujinx project restored under the same team.
The main button on this website downloads the specified GitHub ZIP archive. Upstream releases and documentation are also linked so users can compare sources and current requirements.
Open source improves transparency, but a downloaded archive can still be modified or mispackaged. Verify the repository, scan the files and back up your data before running a new build.
Yes, entirely free and open-source under the MIT licence. You never pay to download or use it.
The emulator software itself is legal. Downloading games, keys or firmware you do not own is not. Only use dumps from hardware and titles you legally own.
To obtain keys, firmware and legal game dumps you generally need a console you own. The emulator does not provide any of these files.
Windows, Linux and macOS are the main desktop targets. Architecture and package availability can change between releases.
Ryubing does not provide an official Android version. Avoid websites that label unknown APK files as an official Ryubing download.
No. This is an independent information website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Ryubing or Ryujinx projects.
Vulkan is a good default on most modern GPUs; OpenGL can help on older hardware or specific titles. On macOS the Metal path is used. Try both and keep whichever runs your games best.
Yes. Resolution scaling lets supported games render above native for a sharper image, and you can pair it with anti-aliasing and scaling filters like FSR.
Early stutter is often shader compilation. Disk shader caching reduces it over repeated sessions. Lowering scaling and switching backends can also help.
Keyboard, mouse, touch and nearly all game controllers are supported, with native motion controls in most cases. Dual Joy-Con motion may need a helper tool.
Local wireless-style play is available through the LDN network for compatible titles. Coverage depends on the specific game.
Yes. Place mod files in the mods directory (create it if missing) and enable them in the options. Support varies per title.
In most cases you can copy your existing data folder to the equivalent Ryubing location. Back up first, and consult the official docs for the current path.
Check that keys and firmware are current, confirm the title is supported, and try the latest release, which may include a fix for that game.
Stable is calmer for everyday play; Canary gets the newest fixes first but can introduce regressions. Newcomers usually start with Stable.
Update timing varies. Check the current release pages and changelogs before replacing a build that already works for your games.